Assignment 2: Radio Cut 1. What were the issues involved in making this file and how did you solve them?
Quality sound is the major issue that needs to perfected and focused on in the creation of a radio cut sound file. There are many different aspects that you need to think about when recording your sound, these include:
Good recording device: it is a good idea to record on two devices just in case one fails. It is also important to test the device prior to the interview by recording test sound in the area that you will conducting your interview and play this back through headphones to check for quality, clear sound.
Quiet area to record in: make sure that there are no major noisy background distractions
Keeping the recording device in the same position: this is important so that the speaker's voice is recorded evenly and there aren't loud and soft parts. It is also important to take notice of where the recording device is sitting; if it is on a table you will need to make sure that you aren't bumping the table as this sound may be recorded as well. This happened to me a few times but I didn't realise at the time, when I listened back I realised it was because the table that the recording device was sitting on was not entierly stable so any small knock would come up on the device.
Record room tone: a short recording of the room tone will be helpful in the editing of your sound file. Every now and then you might need to add a pause to break up the speaking time, room tone should be used in these pauses otherwise the sound file will not be smooth and there will be silent gaps in your final piece. I did use some room tone in my final piece and it definitely helped it to sound more professional.
The editing process is important and it consists of chopping and changing the sound around and listening to it over and over again until you have the result that you are aiming for. The following points explain some of the issues that I came across when creating my sound file:
Clear and audible voice: As my interviewer has a strong Chinese accent I found it quite hard to understand parts of what she was saying so unfortunately I couldn't use these parts in my final product and had to edit around them.
Using Garage Band: I found it quite easy to use and taught myself some little tricks about the software. The only thing I had trouble with was getting the background soundtrack to the right level. I couldn't quite get the music low enough for it still to be heard , so level that I had to keep it was a little distracting to the listener but I don't think that it brought the attention away too much, I was still happy with it.
2. In what way would the ability to produce an edited sound file be useful?
Having the skill to create an edited sound file is beneficial in many ways. As a teacher it gives me the opportunity to introduce recording and editing sound to my students and opens up a range of exciting learning opportunities. Having the ability to produce an edited sound file is the starting point of creating a digital story so it is beneficial in that way too.
1. What were the issues involved in making this file and how did you solve them?
2. In what way would the ability to produce an edited sound file be useful?